Now, the ball is in the court of an independent arbitrator to decide what the Montreal Canadiens’ Norris Trophy-winning defenceman will make next season.

While the hockey world was surprised Habs general manager Marc Bergevin wasn’t able to get a long-term deal done with Subban and his agent Don Meehan, the two sides presented their case in Toronto.

Though no talks were planned, the Habs and Subban’s camp do have the 48 hours before arbitrator Elizabeth Neumeier hands down her decision Sunday to work out an agreement on a new contract.

“Decisions were made (Friday) in regards to both of our positions and, ultimately, we have to live with those decisions and move on from here,” Subban told reporters in Toronto.

“That’s what I’m ready to do: Just move on and get ready for the season. We all respect the process and we all make decisions on what’s best in terms of our interest. We have to live with those decisions.”

Many league executives were surprised this case got to arbitration. More than one felt before Friday’s session the two sides would find a way to come to a deal that would make everybody happy.

However, there was a wide gap between what the Habs were offering and what Subban was seeking when the two sides exchanged briefs Wednesday in preparation for the hearing.

Reports indicated Subban, who elected a one-year deal from the arbitrator, was looking for $8.5 million on a new contract. The Habs, in return, were offering a one-year deal at $5.25 million.

Though Bergevin and Meehan both declined comment when asked to speak by reporters, arbitration has been painted by many agents and players as an ugly process that isn’t a lot of fun.

“Usually you pick a fight with a third-or-fourth liner or your fifth-or-sixth defenceman not your franchise player,” said a league executive Friday.

“There might be a guy on your team where you’ve tried to negotiate with him and then you want to send him a message by going to arbitration.”

Of the 22 players who filed for arbitration, 20 settled without going to a hearing and 10 of those contracts were completed more than 48 hours before they exchanged briefs.

Before Subban, only St. Louis Blue Vladimir Sobotka actually had a hearing and that was after he agreed to a deal in the KHL.

In their last agreement with Subban, the Habs elected to sign him to a two-year bridge contract at $2.875 million per season. He won a Norris in 2013 and was the club’s best player last spring.

“They took the chance on the bridge deal and Subban got the job done,” said the executive.

Subban has certainly proven his worth.

In fact, one league executive predicted before the hearing he felt the two sides would settle on an seven- or eight-year deal in the $8 million range.

That never materialized, but the reality is there is still time to get something in place. Bergevin and Meehan can still reach out to each other to speak so they have control of the contract.

“I’ve never been through this process before,” Subban said. “To have to go through it now, obviously, I’ve been through many different processes before in my career, but I’ve ultimately come out of it stronger and ready to continue to get better and that’s my motivation as a player is to get better.”

Many expect Subban will be a winner and get between $6.5-$7.5 million from the arbitrator. Nashville defenceman Shea Weber received $7.5 million when he went this route in 2011.

In September 2011, the Los Angeles Kings signed Drew Doughty -- like Subban, an elite defenceman in and around his prime -- to an eight-year, $56-million deal that pays him $7 million per-season. Both sides would have presented their comparables Friday.

Once the arbitrator rules and the Habs accept the deal, they will have Subban under contract for another season and then they can decide in January if they want to talk long-term.

By then, the 25-year-old Subban will only be 18 months away from becoming a unrestricted free agent. He has maintained throughout the last couple of months he wants to remain in Montreal.

You just have to wonder if there will be any ill feelings between Montreal and Subban as a result of the fact they two sides weren’t able to settle. We’ll find out soon enough.